The Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper reports millions of dollars in federal funding for a passenger train line between Iowa City and Chicago remains untapped.

Lawmakers say the holdup is in the Legislature, where Iowa officials need to put up a $20 million match. They have failed to vote on the funding the past two years, the Press Citizen reported.

Passenger rail advocates say now other states are eyeing the money. Federal transportation officials committed $230 million in late 2010, with the condition that Iowa and Illinois state governments would help pay for the project.

Supporters say an expanded passenger rail would be convenient for riders and bring money to the state. Others have expressed concern about costs attached to operating the train.